Assam ASSEB HSLC NSQF Private Security cheat sheet

Private security is a paid, contractual or in-house protective service; public police are state-funded and hold statutory arrest and investigative powers that private guards generally do not.

Core industry segments: guarding and manned security, cash-in-transit, electronic security systems, private investigation, event and venue security, and security training.

Three-layer model of protection: physical (walls, locks, lighting), electronic (CCTV, alarms, access control), and procedural (posts, patrols, registers, SOPs).

Deterrence works through perceived risk, perceived effort, and perceived reward; visible uniformed presence raises perceived risk at low cost.

Defence in depth means multiple independent layers so that failure of one control does not compromise the asset.

Cost-benefit logic of security: spend is justified by loss reduction, insurance conditions, statutory duty, and reputational risk, not by fear alone.

Security personnel are agents of the client or employer; the client's assets, persons, and information are held in trust, and confidentiality survives the end of employment.

Growth drivers of the industry: urbanisation, commercial expansion, outsourcing of non-core functions, and statutory safety obligations on employers.

Guard duties: access control, patrol, observation, report writing, emergency first response, key and equipment custody, and customer assistance within post orders.

Post orders define what a guard must, may, and must not do at a specific site; they never override the law or safety rules.

Shift handover must record incidents in progress, keys and equipment issued, pending visitors, faulty equipment, and any instructions received.

Chain of command: guard reports to shift supervisor, supervisor to site or operations manager, who liaises with the client representative.

Punctuality, correct uniform, valid ID, and sobriety are conditions of duty; absence must be reported early enough for relief to be arranged.

Conduct rules: no sleeping, drinking, gambling, or unauthorised personal visitors at post; no accepting gifts that could create obligation.

Use of force is a last resort, must be proportionate and necessary, and must be justified in writing immediately afterwards.

Conflict of interest and corruption: refusing bribes, not disclosing client information, and not using position for personal gain.

Perimeter is the first line: fencing, gates, bollards, lighting, and clear zones maintained free of cover and climbing aids.

Access control steps: identify the person, verify authorisation, record entry, issue a badge or pass, and control exit and return of the pass.

Three authentication factors: something you know (PIN), something you have (card, key), something you are (biometrics); combining two is two-factor authentication.

Tailgating and piggybacking are defeated by one-person-at-a-time entry, turnstiles, mantraps, and staff challenge culture.

Visitor management: pre-registration, photo ID check, escort rule, badge visible at all times, and sign-out with time recorded.

Key control: serial-numbered keys, signed issue and return register, no unmarked master keys, and immediate rekeying after loss.

Layered zones: public area, controlled staff area, restricted area, and high-security vault; access rights narrow as zones deepen.

CCTV supports but does not replace physical control; camera coverage needs documented retention, access log, and legal signage.

Observation is purposeful attention; perception is selective and can be distorted by expectation, stress, poor light, and distance.

Report only what was seen, heard, or smelled directly; label second-hand information as such and name the source.

The incident report answers: who, what, when, where, how, and who was informed, plus what action was taken and what remains pending.

Write in chronological order, past tense, factual language; avoid opinion, speculation, and emotive adjectives.

Describe persons by build, height, age range, hair, clothing, distinguishing marks, and direction of travel rather than by name guesses.

Record exact times from a synchronised clock, and note the time the entry was written, not only the time of the event.

Never alter a completed report; corrections are made as a dated, signed addendum so the original record stays intact.

Evidence handling: do not touch, log the finder, time, place, and condition, and hand over to the authorised person with a signed receipt.

Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, heat; removing any one side extinguishes the fire. The fire tetrahedron adds the uninhibited chemical chain reaction.

Fire classes: A solid combustibles, B flammable liquids, C gases, D metals, and electrical fires treated as a separate hazard requiring a non-conducting agent.

Extinguisher selection: water for class A only; foam for A and B; CO2 and dry powder for B, C, and live electrical equipment.

PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side, keeping an exit behind you.

Evacuation principle: raise the alarm first, then evacuate by the designated route to the assembly point, and account for persons by roll call.

Never use lifts during a fire evacuation; use stairs, stay low under smoke, and check doors for heat before opening.

Fire prevention duties: keep exits and extinguishers unobstructed, report faulty wiring and damaged detectors, and enforce no-smoking rules.

Emergency response sequence: assess the scene for safety, raise the alarm, rescue only if safe, contain if trained, and hand over to fire services.

Primary survey order: danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation; call emergency services early and send for an AED.

Adult CPR: compressions at 100 to 120 per minute, depth 5 to 6 cm, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths, minimise interruptions.

Use an AED as soon as it arrives: switch on, attach pads, follow voice prompts, and do not touch the casualty during analysis or shock.

Recovery position for an unconscious but breathing casualty: protects the airway and allows fluid to drain.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing, add layers without removing soaked pads, and treat for shock.

Choking adult: encourage coughing, then up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating until relief.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 20 minutes, remove jewellery and loose clothing, never apply ice, oil, or toothpaste.

Fracture and spinal precaution: immobilise, do not attempt to straighten a limb, and avoid moving a suspected spinal casualty unless in danger.

Private guards generally have citizen powers only: arrest on reasonable suspicion of a cognisable offence, prevention of a breach of peace, and self-defence.

Private security agencies are regulated under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, with state-level licensing and control authorities.

The Act restricts guard deployment to persons meeting age, training, and character verification conditions, and requires training before deployment.

Arrest by a private person must be followed by prompt handover to police; detention, confinement, or search without lawful authority is unlawful.

Confession obtained by a private person has no evidentiary value as a confession; statements are recorded for the record, not as proof of guilt.

Use of force must satisfy necessity and proportionality; excessive force exposes the guard and the agency to criminal and civil liability.

Trespass, wrongful restraint, and defamation are common civil wrongs arising from over-eager security action.

Firearms, if any, are governed by the Arms Act and licence conditions; a security licence does not itself authorise carrying arms.

Communication model: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback; noise in any element causes distortion.

Radio discipline: listen before transmitting, use call signs, keep messages brief and structured, and repeat critical numbers back.

Use the phonetic alphabet and plain numbers for clarity; confirm names and addresses by read-back.

Non-verbal signals carry much of the meaning; stance, eye contact, and tone affect whether a challenge is accepted or escalates.

De-escalation: lower voice, slow speech, maintain safe distance, offer choices, and avoid touching or cornering the person.

Customer service standard: greet, identify need, act within authority, and explain clearly what you can and cannot do.

Handover briefing is a team tool: state the situation, task, and any safety concerns, then ask for questions.

Escalate early rather than improvise: the supervisor decides matters outside the post orders.

Employer duties include safe plant and systems of work, training, protective equipment, and hazard information; workers must follow safe practice and report hazards.

Hazard versus risk: a hazard is a source of harm, risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm.

Risk control hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineering control, administrative control, then personal protective equipment last.

Common guard hazards: night work and fatigue, lone working, slips and trips, manual handling, aggressive persons, and electrical equipment.

Manual handling: assess the load, keep it close, bend the knees, keep the back straight, and do not twist while lifting.

Fatigue control: adequate rest between shifts, planned breaks, and reporting drowsiness rather than concealing it.

Environmental duties: segregate waste, prevent spills, control noise and light nuisance, and report spillage to the supervisor.

Report every near miss and minor injury; only reported data can drive corrective action and legal compliance.

Patrol types: fixed post, foot patrol, vehicle patrol, and clock-round patrol; vary timing and route to avoid predictability.

Patrol technique: watch, listen, smell, check locks and seals, and record each checkpoint with time and condition.

Logbook and register entries must be legible, signed, timed, and free of blank spaces or overwritten figures.

Access control drill: challenge politely, request ID, verify against list, record, issue pass, and confirm return.

Fire drill performance is assessed on alarm recognition, time to evacuate, roll call accuracy, and correct use of extinguisher.

Incident scene skills: secure the area, preserve evidence, keep witnesses available, and record names and contact details.

Handover checklist: keys counted, equipment status, incidents open, visitors present, and instructions from supervisor.

Assessment criteria for guards: knowledge, observation accuracy, report quality, drill performance, grooming, and compliance with post orders.